Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 16th, 2021–Nov 17th, 2021
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Although the storm has passed and the temperatures have cooled, large avalanches were directly observed today. The storm snow needs more time to settle and bond.

Weather Forecast

Cooler temperatures are expected over the next few days with valley temps staying below zero. Minimal precip associated with a benign weather pattern is expected. The wind could be the most intense input with wind speed well in to strong  range from the West on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 80cm of storm snow since Friday with moderate SW winds have created windslabs in the alpine and at treeline and storm slabs at all elevations. This buries a relatively thin, facetted snowpack with a couple crusts in it. Total snow depths are 60-100cm at treeline with more in the alpine. Below 2000m, rain has saturated the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Forecasters observed the remnants of the cycle that ended with the cooling of temperatures this morning. Storms slabs up to size 3.5 were observed throughout Banff, Yoho and Kootenay highway corridors. Today, Lake Louise reported triggering a size 3 avalanche 250m wide on the Nov 5th crust using explosives.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Conditions from the recent storm have formed wind slabs, predominantly in the alpine, but also in some treeline areas. These will take a few more days to heal following the first major storm of the winter.

  • Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow. Avoid wind loaded terrain.
  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Storm Slabs

The recent storm cycle has created widespread storm slabs. This problem still needs time to settle and bond, so treat steep open slopes at treeline and in the alpine as suspect.

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

Up to 70 cm of recent storm snow is available to run as loose dry avalanches from steep terrain. Watch out for increased sluffing if the wind picks up or changes direction.

  • Be careful of loose dry sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2